Little Britain Merchants mourn beloved captain

Nolan Jewell

Nolan Jewell, beloved captain of the Little Britain Merchants Junior C team, died suddenly at his home on the weekend. He devoted much of his life to promoting community pride in the team.
photo courtesy of Jay Nugent

(LITTLE BRITAIN) Once a Merchant, always a Merchant.
That mantra is bringing hockey players and an entire community around the family of Nolan Jewell, the beloved captain of the Little Britain Merchants Junior C hockey club.
Mr. Jewell, 20, died suddenly at his home on Aug. 12.
Steve Gourlie, head coach of the Merchants, who knew Mr. Jewell for most of his life, struggled to remain composed as he recalled his friend and colleague on Wednesday (Aug. 15).
“It’s a terrible shock. He was one of the best players in the league, talented and dominant,” he said. “But, for him, it was all about the Merchants. Everything he worked at was making the Little Britain Merchants a big deal. He made everyone who put on a Merchants jersey feel special.”
Mr. Gourlie said Mr. Jewell’s passion, dedication to the team and leadership qualities were second to none.
“He knew how to keep the boys together, pull the best out of them, rally us in the tough times. He had terrific leadership.”
Mr. Gourlie recalled that Mr. Jewell worked tirelessly to instill community pride in the team. Mr. Jewell even organized a baseball tournament to raise money for the hockey pants and bags that he designed.
His fundraising efforts for the club are well-known. Last year, Mr. Jewell and fellow players Graham Gourlie (Steve’s brother), Mitch Thurston and Mitch Phinney spent the summer raising money to completely renovate the team’s dressing room at the Little Britain arena. They held a slo-pitch tournament that raised about $3,800 and resulted in exactly what Mr. Jewell had hoped for - a place that would make people want to come and play hockey in Little Britain.
The Merchants’ website also bears a tribute to Mr. Jewell, noting, in part, “Nolan was the epitome of a Little Britain Merchant. He worked tirelessly on and off the ice for the Merchants. On the ice, the Oakwood native was a dominant player who compiled 107 pts in 106 games over his 4 year career. Nolan was a true leader who would always inspire his teammates and led by example. He was a Friend, Brother, Teammate and Leader.”
Jay Nugent, who plays forward with the Merchants, was another of Mr. Jewell’s friends who knew him “since kindergarten.”
“He was a gifted athlete; volleyball, basketball, hockey - he was good at them all. He was a great leader in all of them, always willing to help the younger guys, no matter what the sport.”
But, hockey was definitely his friend’s first love, and he wasn’t above pulling pranks, especially on the rookies.
“He loved a good joke. We always went to the rookie parties; one time he got all dressed up in women’s clothes; makeup - the whole bit - and went to the party. He loved his jokes. But, he was always there for the new guys, a real mentor to them.”
In fact, it’s the first thing that comes to mind for brothers Johnny and Scott McGuire who both had opportunity to play alongside Mr. Jewell.
“He took me under his wing,” said Johnny McGuire adding Mr. Jewell was the “type of guy who would do anything for you.”
“He was one of the best friends you could ever have,” added Scott McGuire, adding, while Mr. Jewell was definitely a competitive hockey player who threw everything he had into the game, he always looked out for the younger players and did whatever he could to help them improve, as well.
Mr. Gourlie said Mr. Jewell’s death has rallied the community around his family and friends, and is glad he lives in a small town.
“We’re so thankful for a small town and a close community. Everyone is offering support, especially the Merchants...even guys from the alumni who haven’t played in 10 years; they’re all coming out. But, that’s how it is. Once a Merchant, always a Merchant. That’s what Nolan believed.”
One of Mr. Jewell’s closest friends, Kyle Nicoll, said, “Nolan was the best friend a person could ask for. Our group of friends is very close and treat one another like brothers. Not only was he our brother, but the glue that kept us together.
“We will always remember...NJ5.”
Visitation for Mr. Jewell will take place at the Little Britain Community Centre on Thursday, Aug. 16 from 1 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will follow Friday’s visitation, at centre ice. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to ‘NJ5’ to promote local hockey. Donations may be directed to Stoddart Funeral Home, 24 Mill St. in Lindsay.
-with files from Barbara-Ann MacEachern and Catherine Whitnall